July 8-11, 2006

 Los Angeles Convention Center

 Achieving the American Dream in a New Century

"Realizando el Sueño Americano en el Nuevo Siglo"

Conference History

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States – works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations (CBOs), NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. NCLR is recognized as the most effective, influential, and respected Hispanic organization in the country, serving as a voice in Washington, DC for Hispanic Americans.

NCLR's Annual Conference is the largest gathering of its kind in the Hispanic community, serving as the meeting ground for over 23,000 community organization leaders, activists, and volunteers; elected and appointed officials; members of the corporate, philanthropic, and academic communities; senior citizens; college students; and youth.

The spectacular special events at the NCLR Annual Conference are known for their high quality of distinguished speakers and entertainers. Past keynote speakers have included Democratic Presidental Candidate John Kerry, President Bill Clinton, President George H. W. Bush, President of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo, President of Mexico Vicente Fox, Vice President Al Gore, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson, Secretary of Health and Human Resources Donna Shalala, Attorney General Janet Reno, Congressional Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO), Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros, Former Governor of Texas Ann Richards, Former American Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole, Republican Vice Presidential nominee Jack Kemp, and ambassador and author Carlos Fuentes.

Past entertainers have included Vikki Carr, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández, Mark Anthony, La Mafia, Elvis Crespo, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Olga Tañon, Lucha Villa, Albita, Milly Quezada, Emilio, Bobby Pulido, Kool & The Gang, Willie Colon, Roberto Pulido, Mariachi Cobre, Sha Na Na, Flaco Jimenez, Sister Sledge, Little Joe, The Spinners, Rick Treviño, Nydia Rojas, La Tropa F, Poncho Sanchez, Ruben Ramos, David Lee Garza, Emmanuel, The Contours, and Campanas de America, just to name a few.